Inhaler



May 27, 1952 o. J. DUFRESNE INHALER Filed April 27, 1949 Patented May 27, 1952 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INHALER Oliver J. Dufresne, St. Paul, Minn. Application April 27, 1949, "Serial No. 89,929

My invention relates to an improvement in pocket inhaler and deals particularly witha type of inhaler which may be used in both nostrils simultaneously.

Various types of inhalers have been constucted. Certain of these devices are provided with a bifurcated end which may be accommodated in both nostrils simultaneously. However, such inhalers have ordinarily not been portable in the normal sense of the word and have been designed for use in conjunction with a separate vapor supply.

An object of the present invention lies in the provision of an inhaler which may be carried about in the pocket or purse and which is selfcontained. This inhaler is provided with a bifurcated end containing passages which permit the vapor or fumes from the contained medicament to be simultaneously inhaled in both nostrils.

A feature of the present invention lies in the cap used for enclosing the bifurcated end of the device. This cap fits frictionall over the bifurcated end of the device and acts to protect this end from dust, dirt, lint and the like. As a result the inhaler may be carried in a pocket or purse without danger of contaminating the portion of the device used in or adjacent to the nostrils.

An added feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a sealing device for preventing the escape of vapor or fumes from the medicament when the device is not in use. Provision is made whereby air may enter the inhaler at one end thereof to pick up vapor or fumes from a medicament contained within the inhaler. Openings are provided at the opposite end of the inhaler through which the air may be drawn into the nostrils. Means are provided for closing both ends of the device so that the medicament is confined therein.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a means for sealing both ends of the inhaler simultaneously. The openings at one end of the inhaler are normally covered by a threaded cap. By unscrewing this cap a proper distance openings into the body of the inhaler are uncovered so that air may enter the body of the inhaler. A valve is designed to seat against the other end of the inhaler body so as to close the passages through the end of the inhaler applied to the nostrils. This valve is provided with a stem which engages the threaded cap. As the threaded cap is unscrewed to open the inlet apertures. pressure against the valve is simultaneously released so that the valve will move into open position.

5 Claims. (Cl. 128-200) An added feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a means for biasing the valve toward open position. As a result the threaded cap may move the valve into closed position and the valve will automatically open as soon as the cap is partially unthreaded.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure l is a front elevational view of my pocket inhaler showing the construction thereof.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view centrally through the inhaler illustrated in Figure 1 to show the internal construction thereof.

Figure 3 is a side elevationa1 view partly in section showing the inhaler in condition for use.

Figure 4 is an end view of the inhaler.

The inhaler A. includes an elongated body I0 having a bifurcated end which forms a pair of spaced nostril engaging portions H and I2. These nostril engaging portions are spaced apart so as to straddle the central partition of the nose and are of a size either to extend slightly into the nostrils or to abut firmly thereagainst. The outer extremities of the branches II and I2 are slightly rounded so as to fit smoothly against the nostrils without injury thereto.

The body 10 is provided with an axial recess I 3 extending thereinto from the end M of the body In opposite to the bifurcated end. This recess 3 is of sufficient diameter to accommodate a tubular cartridge I5 which is formed of or impregnated with a medicament. The cartridgel5 may in itself be formed of particles of a medicament molded into the desired form or the cartridge maybe formed with a fibrous porous body of material capable of being impregnated with the medicament and discharging the medicament into the air which comes in contact therewith. The cartridge I5 is held in place by a plug I6 which is threaded into the lower end of the body aperture l3 or is pressed frictionally therein.

The lower end of the body It is externally threaded as indicated at ll to accommodate a cap 19. The cap l9 includes an end panel 20 arranged to close the lower end of the body and a connected generally cylindrical sleeve 2| which is internally threaded to accommodate the threads I! of the body l0. As indicated in the drawings the cap 19 is knurled or longitudinally grooved to simplify the removal thereof. i

As indicated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings a series of angularly spacedapertures' 22 are provided through the threaded portion of the body In at a distance from the end I. o!

the body suitable to be normally closed by the cap [9. Thus when the cap I9 is in closing position as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings the openings 22 are closed by the cap. In open position of the inhaler as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, the openings 22 are uncovered to allow air to enter the interior of the body III.

A relatively small diameter recess 23 is axially aligned with the recess 13 and forms a continuation thereof. commodate a spring 24. This spring 24 normally exerts a pressure against the rounded upper end 25 of a valve 26. The valve 26 is provided with a protuberance or projection 21- which engages within the spring 24 and holds the: spring and valve aligned.

The valve 26 is provided with a valve stem 30 which extends through an aperture 3! in the cap 16; The valve stem 30 thus engages. the

inner surfaceof the bottom panel 2il'of the cap a 19.. When the cap I9: is in the closed position illustrated-in Figure 2 ofv the drawings, the valve 2-6is. closed against itsseat. However, when the cap I9 is partially unthreaded as indicated in Figureii of the; drawings, thespring 24 actsto urge-the valve 26 away from its seat 32, thereby forming, a communication between the recess i3 and the smaller diameter continuation 24.

A pair of outwardly diverging passages 33zand 34- communicate. with the recess 23 above, the

valve seat 321 and extend to theextremities ofthe bodybranchesl I and, 12. Medicated air is drawn from the; interior of the inhaler through these passages 33, and 34* when, the inlet and outlet openings are; open.

A cap 35 frictionally engages over thebifurcated end of; the body and normally conceals the extremitiesof the branches H and [2 from sight. The cap 35 includes atop closure panel 35" and the depending skirt 31 which snugly fits about the contour of the bifurcated end; Lips 39 extend downwardly from opposite sides of the cap to enclose the crotch portion of the device at the juncture; between the branches H and I2.

The cap may be of slightly resilient material. so

as to-tightly enclose the ends of the branches, H and I2 and to protect them from dust, lint, and the like.

The operation of the device has been described in conjunction with the description. In order to usethe device the cap i9 is partially unthreaded until the apertures 22 are uncovered. Further unthreading of the cap 19 does not cause further movement of the valve and valve stem because of a, shoulder 49 on the valve rod which engages the inner surface of the plug [6 and limits downward movement of the valve. As the cap is unthreaded the valve 28 also is forced away from its valve seat 32' and air may be drawn through the inlet openings 22, pick up vapor or medicament from the interior of the body, and be inhaled through the discharge passages 33 and 34.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described theprinciplesof construction and op.- eration of my inhaler and while I have endeavoredfitoset forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes. may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit. of. my invention.

I claim:

1. An inhaler including a tubular body having a bifurcated, end, a'pair ofv diverging outlet passages through. said bifurcated end, a recess com- The recess 23 is designed to ac- 1' 4 municating with both said diverging passages, a relatively larger diameter recess extending from said first named recess to the other end of said body, a valve seat formed between said two recesses, a valve engageable with said valve seat, a valve stem on said valve, a cap threaded on said body for closing the other end thereof, said body. having. openings, through the end thereof normally closed by said cap, said openings being open when said cap is partially disengaged, movement of said cap imparting a movement to said valve stem and said valve.

2. An inhaler including a tubular body having a bifurcated end, a pair of outlet passages extending through said bifurcated end, a common passage, in communication with said outlet passages, said common passage connecting said outlet passages with the interior of said tubular body, a valve slidably supported within said: tubular body and operable in one position to close said common passage and'in a second position toopen said common passage, a plug threaded-into said tubular body at the end thereof oppositevsaid common passage, said interior having an inlet opening, a valve stem on said valve extending through said plug, and a threaded cap on said first mentioned end of said tubular body, said cap being engageable with said valve stem to move the same and to selectively overlie said inlet opening.

3. The construction described in claim 2= and including means on said valve stem engageable against said plug to limit slidable movement thereof in one direction.

4. The construction described in claim 2 and including a projection on said valve extending into said common passage, and a spring encircling said projection and interposed between said valve and a. portion of said tubular body between said outlet .passages.

5. An inhaler including a tubular body having a bifurcated end, a pair of diverging outlet .passages through said bifurcated end, a recess communicating with both said diverging passages. a relatively larger diameter recess extending from said first named recess to the other end of said body, a valve seat formed between said two recesses, a valve engageable with said valve seat, a valve stem on said valve, a cap. movable on said body for closing the other end thereof, said cap being movable between two spaced positions, saidjbody having an opening, through the end thereof normally closed by said cap, when it is; in one of said spaced positions, said opening being open when said cap is in the other of said spaced, positions,.movement of said cap imparting a movement to said valve stem and said valve.

OLIVER J. :DUFRESNE.

REFERENCES CITED;

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED sures PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 31-, 1925 

